Ricardo Artis II (198-F/G-1993, college: Wiley) is a 30 year old 198cm forward from Texas that is playing his second season in Germany and first with the bringiton Ballers Ibbenbueren (Germany-ProB). Last season he tore up the Regionalliga with SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-Regionalliga): 30 games: Score-2 (29.3ppg), Reb-3 (11.5rpg), 2.7apg, Steals-4 (3.2spg), FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 81.1%. Before coming overseas, he played back at home for TBL teams Dallas Skyline, and the Enid Outlaws and the Potawatomi Fire. He also played with the North Texas Prowlers (PBA) and Newfoundland Rogues (ABA). He played at 4 schools with Eastfield College (JUCO), McLennan Community College (JUCO), North Lake College (JUCO) and Wiley College (NAIA). He teams up with germanhoop.com each week to talk basketball.

After a big win last week, Ibbenburen suffered the next loss against Iserlohn with 85-75. How tough was losing again after coming off a high with the win last week?

It’s very frustrating but as one of the leaders for this team I have to stay positive and focus on the next game.

The first half was tight but at the break, Ibbenburen had the 39-34 lead. What was key for you having the lead at half-time?

They came out energized and more ready to play than we did.

Iserlohn went on a little run to begin, but Ibbenburen continued to fight back and came back, but couldn´t get over the hump trailing 65-57 after 30 minutes. Iserlohn seemed to use their whole team. What was most difficult trying to get over the hump?

They actually only played 8 players. Some of the guys they had didn’t play and I think that actually got more of their key players to find their rhythm. As for us, we played all 12 of our guys and we still struggled to match the energy they had.

You made a few baskets and helped cut down the lead to 5, but they came back and got easy baskets. What was missing on the defensive end in crunch-time?

We just couldn’t get the stops. They executed very well down the stretch which made it hard to cut into the lead.

What positives could you take form the game. Was the 45-31 rebound advantage and 16-5 offensive rebounds something to build on?

That’s something we’ve came accustomed to doing all season and which helped us win one game but it’s not enough. We have to figure out more advantages we can take from the game to come out with the win.

You told me a few weeks ago that Ibbenburen have enough scorers. But on this day that’ second reliable scorer was missing or not?

I believe that my statement is still true but the stats continue to say otherwise. I’m trying to remain confident in my guys but if we being honest like I always am with you Miles, then yes. A reliable scorer was missing. Hopefully, soon those guys will step up on a consistent basis to reach the goals we want to reach.

You had another sold game with 18/8/4/3 stats. Was your shooting percentages your biggest flaw?

Honestly, I struggled last night from the field. I should have made shots that I attempted but that’s how the game goes sometimes. Credit to the defense from the Kangaroos but I missed some of the shots I usually make. I got to my spots, I just couldn’t get most to fall. Still a solid game but I’m frustrated with the ending result.

You next play Berlin BG who are 3-2. The battle of the 2 new Pro B teams. What will be key to getting the win?

As of right now, I don’t know. We will watch film on them this week and I’ll let the coaching staff determine that.

Thanks Ricardo for the chat.

Thanks Ricardo for the chat.